Friday 27 March 2009 07.20 EDT
First published on Friday 27 March 2009 07.20 EDT

After protests marked its last foray around the world, the Olympic torch will no longer leave the Games' host country, the International Olympic Committee has confirmed.

The torch was first taken on a world tour before the 2004 Olympics in Athens, but political demonstrations disrupted a similar tour before the 2008 Games in Beijing. The IOC has now decided to place restrictions on future relays, which will only be conducted within the host countries. This means the flame will only be displayed in Britain in 2012 before the London Games.

"After the relay in Athens, which was the first international relay, we came to the conclusion it was easier for the torch to stay inside the [host] country," said the IOC's executive director, Gilbert Felli. "There were difficulties with the NOCs [National Olympic Committees], and we also saw the risk with a torch relay going around the world.

"Beijing had planned an international torch relay and we accepted it. We saw in the debrief that the risk was there and the IOC decided not to do it," he added. "I think when the torch relay is inside the host country there is more control."

The decision has been backed by London 2012 organisers, who were also keen to avoid any controversy.

"We have always said the primary focus would be on a domestic torch relay whose main purpose is to excite and inspire the UK in the build-up to the Games," said a spokesman. "We planned to take our lead from the IOC and are very happy with this decision as it mirrors what we were intending to do."